Yes, you’ve read that right — as a Halloween promotion, Black Dog & Leventhal publishing has made one of the stories from the DEMONS anthology available for free — AND THAT STORY IS MINE!! *Mwahahahahahaha*

“The Unicorn Hunter” is the one I’ve been gushing about — the one from the Enchanted universe. It’s the story I saw in my head when I looked at the original Twilight cover. Imagine my devastation when I later found out that Twilight was about vampires. CRUSHED, I TELL YOU.

This link, like Halloween, is only good for a limited time, so check it out & share it with the world while you can!

Also, I’d love to hear what you think — feel free to comment on this post, fill out the email form at the top of the website, or email me directly at akontis at gmail.

Confession: I am aware of the infamous Jonathan Coulton, but I do not actually know or own any of his songs. Not because I don’t want to — just because I haven’t gotten around to it. So when my brand-new friend Jennifer from Capclave posted on my wall that Coulton’s song “The Princess Who Saved Herself” reminded her of me, I looked it up on YouTube. And I found the most fabulous thing.

Ms. Mayo and Ms. Kari’s first grade class was studying fairy tales. So they illustrated the lyrics to the song, and made them into THIS INCREDIBLY BRILLIANT VIDEO.

I should really look into the works of this talented Jonathan Coulton person. Maybe in November when I have some time…

Here’s a treat after last week — the infamous tale of tiny hero Tom Thumb. This tale is his origin story and only some of his adventures — the tale is continued in “Tom Thumb’s Travels,” which is a separate piece.

Amusingly enough, this post is going to cover ALL FOUR OF THESE SUBJECTS. “But how on Earth…?” I hear you asking. Well, here’s your answer.

My favorite read so far this Fall season has been Leanna Renee Hieber’s DARKER STILL. (Yes, what you see pictured there is my very own personalized copy of the ARC, but you cannot have it! You may win the other one, though, if you’re patient.) DARKER STILL is not only a gorgeous book (and gorgeously written), but it is also in many ways, Leanna’s love letter to Dorian Gray–one of her own literary true loves. (We fight over Poe.)

Natalie, the main character, is mute–what we read in the pages of DARKER STILL is her diary, the only way she is truly able to express herself as eloquently as she hears herself in her head. It is turn-of-the-century New York City, and there is a particular piece at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (where Natalie’s father is a curator). It is the portrait of a handsome young gentleman, Lord Denbury, and it seems to be ALIVE.

Probably because IT IS.

What’s that? You can’t wait to read it? Excellent! You won’t have to wait long, because it releases on November 1st. Hooray!

Here’s the best part. If you CLICK THIS LINK, you will be taken to the website of a little independent book shop in NYC called Word Books. And for only $8.99, you will be able to order your very own PERSONALIZED AND SIGNED copy of DARKER STILL. That’s right — Leanna will be personally signing (and inscribing to whomever you wish) EVERY SINGLE BOOK ordered from this bookstore.

I know you hate hearing it, but Christmas is right around the corner. What more perfect gift could you give than a personalized first edition book signed by The Author Herself and personalized to everyone on your list? Plus, there’s the benefit of feeling good that you supported the True American Economy and supported a lovely independent bookshop.

Independent bookstores are like an endangered species nowadays. We can’t let them die. BIBLIOPHILES, UNITE!

Here’s that link again. Click on over an order your book. Then pop back here and let me know in the comments that you’ve done so, and I’ll enter you to win that pictured signed copy of Leanna’s THE PERILOUS PROPHECY OF GOD AND GODDESS.

This should hardly qualify as an episode of the podcast, as the tale of The Golden Key is little over a minute long. The tale itself is just as disappointing…with sort of a “Lady and the Tiger” ending. It makes me wonder why the Grimm Brothers would have included it in their folk tales at all. Any boy who finds a key — golden or otherwise — and a box is going to try and open the box. Right??

Here is my schedule for Capclave 2011. I’d also like to note that this is my very first Kaffeeklatsch. Which is just FUN TO SAY. And if no one shows up, I get to have coffee alone with Edmund. It’s a win-win situation!